Hi, Am looking for a bit of advice. I mentioned before that my DSE had developed a rattle/ching but didn't know where from.

On using the car the other day after replacing my fusebox, which sorted a few other faults, we travelled less than half a mile to pick up some other bits for the car and noticed smoke starting to come from the front of the car, thought it was on fire as just replaced the fusebox? On lifting the bonnet, smoke was coming from the drive belt. We let it cool down and noticed that the was quite a lot of play in the belt.

On further investigation, we noticed that the damper was not taking up the slack on the belt. New parts were ordered, new damper and belt, which were fitted this afternoon. Upon replacing the belt, we noticed that the crankshaft pulley damper looks like it is missing and the grooved bit can move back and forth. When rattled, it seems to make the chinking noise that the car makes when running.

I have also have e39 525tds which has the same engine and setup. We have looked at the crank damper on this and seems to look slightly different to that of the p38. Was just wondering if anyone knows if they are the same or different. Where would be the best place to get hold of one as this sounds like a common occurrence on this engine. Dont really want to be spending hundreds getting one though as the car has already cost me a fortune in parts.

Any help with this would be appreciated.

hi, i had the same problem a few years ago,and i got a crankshaft damper of 525 or 325 cant quite remember but it fitted no problem,i think i only paid 50 quid for it got it from scrappies,no problem since,pat.

when my engine blew in my 96 dse i put in an earlier engine from a 525tds and used the crank pulley from the 525tds as my original one was breaking up and they were the same

ok thanks very much, will let you know how i get on. many thanks for your quick replies.

Been reading this up on the internet and the rave cd and it says that i need tool lrt-12-105, which is some sort of crankshaft holding tool. is there anyway of doing this repair without one? can't seem to find a uk supplier for one. only one i found was from germany and was quite expensive.

changed mine with one off a 525tds needed no special tool if i rembember correctly you dont have remove the big bolt in the centre just the ring of smaller bolts but im not 100% sure its been a while

hi,i never used any special tools when i did mine.

been offered a crankshaft pulley from a e34 bmw. just wondered if this would fit as it doesnt look like its a dual pulley for the air con. or are they all the same and the air con pulley just sit over the top??

this is a pic of the pulley i been offered

the pully is in 2 parts you only need the centre part with your own outer part